Professor Edie Goldenberg (our former dean) wrote to Math specifically for help with getting our students registered to vote in the 2020 Presidential Election, including the March 10 Michigan primary. This is part of President Schlissel’s nonpartisan push on campus this year to increase voter turn-out, a critical component of having a functioning democracy.
Did you know that at UM, that our graduate students have worse turn-out numbers than our undergraduates? Did you know that STEM student voting turnout lags behind non-STEM? Let’s fix this! There are critical issues affecting higher education and science funding that may have a huge impact on mathematician’s careers and graduate students in particular, not to mention huge general issues that affect us all such as climate change. Policy on these issues is largely driven by who turns out to vote, so let’s help your generation be heard! Even international students can contribute to this effort.
An important point: a new law in Michigan allows all Michigan citizens to vote absentee. If you want to vote in Michigan, you must check that you are registered (or register here); Then you can request an absentee ballot (and vote immediately by mail). This way you can avoid the lines on Election Day. There are also registration drives on campus next week (dates below) to help.
Below I append Professor Goldenberg’s message to me with some specific dates and more info. Note that she mentions you can request a trained professional to come to your class to provide a 5 minute presentation about getting registered. (Email lwwoods@umich.edu for info.) Here are slides she’s prepared for you to do this yourself, too.
FEBRUARY 24 is the last day that our students can register to vote on campus. After that, they will have to go in person to the A2 clerk’s office in City Hall with proof of residency. We have voter registration drives scheduled for next week:
Monday 10-12 Duderstadt Connector, No. Campus
12-2 Haven Hall 1st floor lobby
Tuesday 10-2 Museum of Art
Wednesday 10-2 Haven Hall
Thursday 12-2 Ross School atrium
Friday 10-12 Duderstadt Connector
12-2 Shapiro Library
Let me add a few points:
— the International Center has on its website information for international students about how they can get involved if they wish;
— Math has one of the largest graduate programs on campus, and our graduate students lag our undergraduates in turnout; we aren’t reaching them effectively and you can help; once they register, if they want to vote in MI, they can request an absentee ballot (and vote immediately by mail) and avoid the lines on Election Day;
— through your undergrad courses you reach a huge number of our students; Here is a set of slides with information (links and QR codes) that can be provided in class in 5 minutes. We have trained volunteers prepared to come to class, bring forms (and collect and deliver/mail them), and make brief presentations if the GSIs/faculty do not want to do it.
— our STEM students have tended to lag others in turnout, but I don’t think that’s due to a lack of interest in the outcomes of elections; we’d like to make a special effort to provide them with the information and assistance they need to cast their ballots.
I would really appreciate your help. And do let me know if there’s any way we can provide support for your efforts.
